Weighing Anchor, we steer’d our course for Bantam; but being much straitned by the way, for want of fresh water, we were compell’d to make up to the first Land we descry’d. Though the darkness of the night blinded our eyes from such discoveries, yet flames of fire not far distant from us, gave us perfect intelligence that land was not far off. That night we cast Anchor, fearing we might run foul of some rock or shelf: In the morning we saw a large track of Land before us, not knowing what place it should be. Our Captain commanded the Long-boat to be man’d out, to procure water, if any good were there: amongst the rest, I went for one; for I was very greedy to observe novelties. Coming on shore, and seeing this Hill now and then belch out flames, by my perswasions I made my fellows forget for a time their duty or errand they came about, to make some inquisition into this miracle of Nature. Whereupon we all resolved unanimously to ascend the Hill, and with much difficulty we came so nigh the top, that we heard a most hideous noise proceeding from the Concave thereof: so terrible it was, that we now began to condemn our rash attempt, and stood at a convenient distance, judging it the only medium of our safety. Whilst we were thus in a delirium, not knowing what was the best to be done; the Mountain was instantly possest with an Ague-fit, and afterwards vomiting up smoak and stones into the Air (which afterwards fell down in a shower upon our heads) we thought we could not escape without a miracle: and whilst we were all striving which way, with greatest expedition, we might eschew the danger, there rose in the midst of us such an heap of earth, ashes, and fire, with such kinde of combustible matter, as that we all seem’d as so many moveable burning Beacons: and without any thoughts of helping each other, every one endeavoured to secure himself. And although I was the last in the company, yet in this expedition it was much available to me; for my companions making more haste than good speed, tumbling down the Hill before me, fell several of them together; which blocks lying in my way, obstructed my passage, & so sav’d the breaking of my neck, which otherwise would have been inevitable. In this prodigious conflict, most of us lost the hair of our heads, not without receiving several batteries upon the Out-works of our bodies. At first sight we were much afraid; but the consequence made it appear, we were not more afraid than hurt. We made a shift to crawl down the rest of the way; and having fixt our unadvised feet on the bottom of the Mountain, we resolv’d we would never again pay so dearly for our curiosity, but forthwith went in search of some Spring, that might serve as well to quench our cloathes, as our thirst. What we sought for we quickly found; and so filling our empty Cask, we made what haste we could aboard. The Captain and the rest stood amaz’d to see us look so ghastly, and were very impatient to know what was the matter with us; we told them succinctly what had happened, and what great dangers we underwent: instead of pitying us, they only laught at us for being such adventurous fools. Having thus furnished our selves with what we wanted, we set sail again for Bantam; where we safely arriv’d in a short time.
CHAP. LXXIV.
Going ashore to Bantam, and observing the Merchants what they did, taking up Goods upon credit (as it is usual in those parts) till the ship is ready to set sail, he by a stratagem turns Merchant too, and cheats a Banyan, or China-Merchant.
As soon as we came into the Harbour before Bantam, we presently man’d out our Long-boat and went ashore, to acquaint the President what we were, and by what authority we came thither to Traffick, being impowered by the East-India Company. We were received with much demonstrations of joy, and nobly feasted for three dayes together. Here note, that the house wherein the President dwelleth, is the receptacle for the whole Factory, each man according to his quality having a dwelling within this house suitable to his dignity; the Factors all in general taking their daily repast with the President. In a weeks time I learned by observation the custom of the Country, and manner or way of Trading, our Merchant taking up Goods daily, and sending them aboard without giving present satisfaction; it being sufficient that he belonged to such a Ship, and therefore must pay before he go, otherwise the King will arrest the Ship, compelling him to make restitution or payment. One time I met with a Bannyan, whom I observ’d to have a box full of precious stones: I could not sleep for thinking how I should make my self a Partner with him. At last I hammer’d out this invention: I cloath’d my self in Indian-silk, according to the custom of the Country; & having so done, I discoloured my face, & clapt a black patch upon one of my eyes. In this equipage I addrest my self to this Bannyan, who presently laid open his treasure to my view. I was not long in chusing what I esteem’d as most valuable; & demanding of him the price, we agreed he should have either so many pieces of English gold within two dayes, or else take his choice of what commodities I had aboard. We made a shift to understand each others broken expressions; and he without the least suspicion of my treachery, delivered his stones into my hands. Taking off my disguise, I went instantly aboard, & hid what I had cheated the Bannyan of (as I might easily do, for the smallness of its bulk) in the Hold of our Ship, resolving not to go ashore yet awhile. The day of payment being come, & the Bannyan no where finding me on Land, came aboard of our Ship, where by signs he made known to our Captain his errand; that a Merchant belonging to his Ship, had bought commodities of him, & promised to pay him on that day. Our Captain reply’d, that he verily believed he was mistaken (as knowing what commodities the Merchants belonging properly to the Ship had bought) and therefore told him he must make inquiry elsewhere for satisfaction. The Bannyan still persisted, alleadging he was not mistaken, and that he was confident if he might have a sight of all the men, he could out of them select the concern’d person. So wary I was of being discovered, that I acquainted not one soul with my project: for had I committed this secret to any, (though ever so dear a friend) it had been mine no longer; neither could I have promised to my self safety. Hereupon the Captain ordered us to be all call’d aloft: which was speedily performed. He went all round the company, viewing every man particularly, and very heedfully. At last he came to me, & there made a stand, (which had like to have made my heart start out of my breast:) he lookt upon me on this side, and on the other side; and to say truly, on every side: and having thorowly eyed me, he ran to our Captain, saying, That should be the man (pointing to me) but that he is a white man, & hath two sees (id est) two eyes. Whereupon I was strictly examined: but for all this sifting, I would not let drop any thing of a confession, that should convict me of guilt; but with lifting up hands and eyes to Heaven, I utterly denyed that ere I saw this man, or ever had any dealing with him. I had now forgot what promises and vows I made to Heaven, (when in Newgate, and sentenced to be hang’d at Tyburn) what a serious, pious, and honest life I would lead, if I escaped that eminent danger the concerns of this life and that to come were then in. Herein I see the old Proverb verified:
Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem
Testa, diu, &c....
That Cask will savour of that liquor still,
With which at first the Cask a man did fill.
Or according to that thred-bare expression so commonly used:
Naturam expellas furca, licet usque recurret.